‘Forever a Masterpiece’

The traditional meaning of the word ‘masterpiece’ is a work considered an artist's best or most representative and Paul Wright richly deserves the title. Paul Wright has exhibited at Modern Artists Gallery, since the early stages of his career, and enjoyed his first solo show at the gallery in 2006. The success of the show prompted his successful entry to the BP National Portrait Award and his career has snowballed at an astonishing rate since. Critical affirmation of this artists’ work has come not just via the National Portrait Award but also inclusion among the hallowed walls of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, London’s Discerning Eye exhibition and a recent stint as Artist in Residence at Texas University.

With portraiture the energy of the sitter seems to be barely constrained by the canvas. Sweeping strokes of the palette knife dissolve and re-form across the picture space to form a fleeting glimpse of the protagonist. Wright has approached these portraits with a more abstracted perspective, seemingly dismantling the features before reforming the image. This allows him to successfully capture the sense of a person's life as well as their appearance and character. Perhaps the reason for Wright’s budding success is his relentless need to constantly challenge himself, re-evaluate and progress his technique.

'I seek to capture a vitality beyond the establishment of a mere likeness to the subject. Whilst I appreciate the importance of the individual being recognisable, the subjects are glimpsed rather than exposed, their inner selves hinted at but ultimately inscrutable.

Though I often work on a large, potentially imposing scale, the work remains approachable through fluency of brush mark and a rich palette. The spaces the subjects inhabit are often indeterminate, providing an atmosphere that allows for ambiguity of psychological state. The subjects retain their integrity and yet a sense of intimacy is evoked.'

Paul Wright has emerged as an accomplished and immensely talented artist; a defiant standard-bearer for the qualities of technique, craftsmanship, colour and texture in painting. Although he is clearly influenced by the best traditions of fine art, his approach is individual, contemporary and powerful. Darryl McCarthy Art Critic/Collector

Paul Wright (b. Leicester, UK 1973)

1992 - 1995 BA Illustration Falmouth School of Art

1991 - 1992 Foundation Studies Loughborough College of Art and Design

Two time shortlister for the National Portrait Gallery BP Award 2006 and 2015
Commission
Over the years Paul Wright has been commissioned by public organizations and private individuals to produce paintings for their collections, these works are predominantly 'HEADS' but also include a range of other subjects.
Paul Wright welcomes all inquiries regarding commissions and is always happy to discuss individual requirements.

Paul Wright is a British Artist represented by
Modern Artist Gallery Whitchurch on Thames Oxfordshire
Thompsons Galleries London and Aldeburgh
Rutland Art Centre

Collection
Accenture
Leicestershire Health Authority
Modern Artists Gallery
P&O
Prudential
Rutland County Council
Smith and Williamson
Standard Chartered Bank
Texas State University